Best Trade Schools in Briny Breezes, Florida (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Briny Breezes. This guide ranks nearby accredited programs, explains Florida licensing, and points you to in-demand trades with steady pay. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers are needed across the West Palm Beach area and statewide[^1].

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Top Trade Schools in Briny Breezes

Below are accredited options within an easy drive of Briny Breezes. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current offerings and start dates with the school.

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician

  • Work includes installs, maintenance, troubleshooting, and code compliance. Florida’s construction and service sectors continue to create steady demand, and wages are competitive with room to grow into foreman and contractor roles[^1].
  • Get started through an electrical technology certificate or an apprenticeship. See our guide: Electrician careers and training.

• HVAC/R Technician

  • Jobs focus on comfort systems, refrigeration, and energy efficiency. Demand stays strong in South Florida’s year-round climate, with service calls across homes, condos, and commercial buildings[^1].
  • Hands-on HVAC school or an apprenticeship can prepare you for entry roles. Many techs add EPA 608 and manufacturer credentials during the first year on the job. Explore HVAC career paths.

• Welder

  • Fabrication, repair, marine, and construction welding are active along the coast. Training teaches safety, blueprint reading, and processes like SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. Employers often prefer AWS or NCCER credentials for structural and pipe work.
  • Learn more about Welding training and certifications.

• Plumber

  • Plumbers handle installs, service, and remodels in residential and commercial settings. Backflow, gas, and medical gas skills can raise your earning potential. Florida’s ongoing development keeps work steady[^1].
  • Compare routes on our Plumbing trade page.

Tip: Many local employers hire from apprenticeships because you work full-time while attending class. Others recruit from technical colleges with strong lab hours and industry certifications.

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; national data shown when state medians are unavailable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. State data (Florida) shown where available; national OEWS values used when state data is unavailable. Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Florida licenses contractors at the state level. Many counties and cities also issue journeyman cards. Here are the basics:

• Electrician (Florida DBPR – Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)

  • To run an electrical business or pull permits: become a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) or Registered Electrical Contractor (ER) through the DBPR. This requires verified experience, passing the trade and business exams, financial responsibility, and insurance[^4].
  • Florida does not issue a statewide journeyman license. Local jurisdictions, including Palm Beach County, may issue journeyman/master cards. Typical steps: complete a 4-year apprenticeship, document hours, and pass a local exam. Work under a licensed contractor until you qualify for state contractor exams.
  • Keep up with continuing education as required by the Board[^4].

• HVAC (Air Conditioning Contractor – Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board)

  • To operate as a contractor: Class A (unlimited) or Class B (≤25 tons cooling/500,000 BTU heating). Requires 4 years verified experience or a combination of education/experience, exams, financial and insurance requirements[^5].
  • Technicians who handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification (Type I, II, III, or Universal)[^6].
  • Many techs start as entry-level installers or service apprentices, then sit for contractor licensing when ready.

• Plumbing (Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board)

  • To contract for plumbing work or pull permits: become a Certified or Registered Plumbing Contractor. Requirements include experience, exams, and financial/insurance documentation[^5].
  • Journeyman credentials are commonly issued by local jurisdictions after a 4-year apprenticeship and exam.

• Welding

  • No Florida state license. Employers often require process tests or certifications such as AWS D1.1 (structural steel) or pipe endorsements. Many training programs align with NCCER modules and prepare you for employer tests[^7].

Always confirm current rules with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before you test or apply[^4][^5].

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid learning: Public technical colleges and PBSC often deliver safety, codes, and theory online with labs on campus. This helps commuters from Briny Breezes keep travel time low.
• Evening and weekend classes: Apprenticeships like ABC and IEC typically run one classroom night per week and full-time paid work during the day.
• Certification prep: Many programs include prep for credentials such as EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA-10/30, and NCCER module assessments, with online study tools available[^6][^7].
• Fully online programs: Best for non-lab fields like building design software, project management, bookkeeping, or IT support. Hands-on trades still require in-person labs or on-the-job training.

Next Steps

• Compare programs across the state: Florida Trade School Hub.
• Explore all trades and pick a path: Trades Hub.
• See how trade schools work and how to choose: Trade School Guide.

If you plan to work in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or welding, shortlist two to three schools from the list above. Tour the labs, ask about outcomes data, and confirm the exact licenses and certifications the program prepares you for. Then map your path from training to license using the Florida steps above.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections and Occupational Employment data for Florida trades, accessed 2025. [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator — institutional profiles for public technical colleges and Palm Beach State College, accessed 2025. [^3]: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited School Directory — Lincoln Tech West Palm Beach, accessed 2025. [^4]: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board — licensing requirements and applications, accessed 2025. [^5]: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board — Air Conditioning and Plumbing Contractor licensing requirements, accessed 2025. [^6]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Refrigerant Management Program — technician certification, accessed 2025. [^7]: National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Accredited Training Sponsor/Center information and credential framework, accessed 2025.